Goodreads Partner Review: Draw Near, Your Creative Spiritual Journal by Sophie Killingley

 

From the Publisher: 

This 365-day devotional journal brings a unique combination of creativity, reflection, and structure into your daily walk with God.

Just like a bullet journal, it includes monthly, weekly, and daily sections, creative prompts, space for sermon notes and doodling, habit trackers, and blank dot pages for extra journalling, lists, or notes.

The first six months of Bible-based creative prompts cover Psalm 103, an amazing psalm full of imagery describing God’s vastness, character, and loving care. The second six months look at Ephesians 1:1-14, which explores what happens to us when we are united to this great, vast, loving God through Jesus. These prompts will help you to meditate and reflect on God’s word and find new delight in Jesus.

This spiritual journal will also help you to:

• connect your creativity with your faith  

• maintain consistent habits of Bible-reading and prayer

• remember what you learned in sermons or quiet times

• reflect more actively on your personal journey with the Lord

So use this innovative resource to be creative, organized, and intentional in your spiritual life. Makes a beautiful gift.

My Review: 

What I like about the book:

• this is an option for those who need ideas on how to creatively document their time with God, or to get them going in a habit, and it also encourages documenting what you learn in your personal walk with God as well as in your local church and bible study.  
• It leaves blank dot pages for adding your own notes, doodles, designs, etc.  Plenty of room for the individual to take the suggested concepts and add their own structure or format to the book.
• It is the right size to take with you and seems durable and well made.  
• It provides a model in the structure for the first 6 months of studying two specific passages in depth, and it's always good to try a new way to dig into the Word.  
• The two passages selected Psalm 103 and Ephesians 1 are appropriate to a new believer or a more mature follower of Christ with rich concepts to reflect on and learn from.  

What I wonder about the book:

• Is there enough structure for someone to pick it up and meditate on the Word with the tool?  Is it too much structure for those who already enjoy dot pages?  Will the user expect a completed example to guide the process?  
• Would it also be a tool for a group of women to bring to a girl's night out and share something every month or so?  Would that improve its accountability and use of it?  
• How long someone will stick with the habit trackers?  I love the idea of picking it up daily to keep documenting the progress you are making, and that the author included documenting God's love for you, which is unconditional daily.  

I am not a dot journal kind of person, the blank pages and doodles that it inspires and the desire to look at it repeatedly are not my giftings.  But in this format, those dot journal pages are set up, and I suspect I will find notes and visuals that help me remember and apply the concepts to use.  

Thankful to partner with Goodreads and receive a copy of this new release. 

Netgalley Partner: Signals

 

As a trained elementary teacher, I was really curious about a book that was going to use the red, yellow, and green traffic light signals for a new behavior system for parents.  Since these colors have become so well known as a behavior management system that does NOT work for many children, especially those from trauma and hard places. 

But to my utter delight, not only has Cherilynn Orr used this long-time behavior management model and color system to redeem that original common classroom strategy.  She has really made it work!  The goal was always to motivate students to improve, learn, and manage their behavior in a classroom, and yet so many kids were failed by the original levels, since once you moved to yellow or red, you identified to the whole room that you were struggling today, and this often was counterproductive and created shame and stress worsening the behavior.  

The model that is taught in this book reflects three levels of a person's brain and regulation.  It also links the truth of God's Word to the science and research on supporting kids from a hard place, and in reality ALL kids in learning to regulate and strengthen their brain functions to reach their pre-frontal cortex and manage their emotions rather than reacting.  The model also expects that the adult embraces new levels of awareness of which mental state the parent is in when interacting with their children.  

Who is the audience for this book:

• someone who wants to be given instructions, a mindset change, and techniques for supporting children.  The author teaches the regulation system to all people including the adults involved.  This tone in the audiobook especially may be misinterpreted by the listener.  
• a believer or follower of Christ who not only wants up-to-date brain research but also follows the Word of God as a way of life and for self-reflection and instruction. 
• A parent, teacher, or adult who is seeking advice for managing the children in their lives who are struggling without the best techniques to seek love, support, and to function more appropriately with others. 
• It is written directly to parents. 
• It is labeled a Christian living book but really functions as a 'self-help' book giving the reader a mindset of ideas, strategies, and questions to consider in how the reader manages and processes their interactions with the children in their lives.  

What I like about the book:

The content shared, the strategies and ideas offered, and the research explained in this book from my many years of learning brain-based best practice strategies to support children are excellent.  As well as the why behind many of the concepts that may be questionable to those new to parenting in this way.  Time Ins, offering a treat and beverage, praising and connecting with the child to re-regulate over tackling the problem or inappropriate behavior immediately, which looks like permissive parenting, but is not when done correctly, as a child needs to connect before he or she can be redirected and learn how to resolve the need, problem, or learn the missing skill.  

• The author is an educator, and the way the book is written in her 'meta cognition' or thinking about her thinking and thinking about what needs the child has that is unmet, by looking at the scenarios as a detective, to identify the why behind the behavior, and a plan to help change the concern immediately and move to a level of thinking where the child can learn a better way.
• Strategies, techniques, and methods to support regulation are fully integrated across the book.    
• Images, cartoons, and visuals to support the concepts which make interpretation of the teaching clearer and the tone clear, the goal is just to help the reader grasp what this strategy looks like, sounds like, and how it relates to God's design for humanity and clarifies the tone from advice to content.  
• The focus on how much managing and modeling our children's regulation rests on the adult remaining functional, aware that the child is not intentionally creating problems, but that they have unmet needs, unsolved problems, or a lack of skills.  
• Recognition that fatigue, hydration, nutrition, hunger, activity, etc all make the above regulation struggles amplified.  
• Stoplight Connections: Questions and tasks to complete as you read, that are educationally valuable in applying the concepts to your thinking.  
• Prayer: ends each chapter and gives a true glimpse of the author's recognition that parenting is hard, often a struggle, and shows our humanness and flaws regularly keeping us dependent on the support of the Holy Spirit molding us. 

What I wonder about the book:

• Would the audiobook version have seemed less cheesy or more authentic if read by the author herself? I'm not sure.  
• How many diverse learners may miss the quality instruction, content, and thinking that is so well done in this book because they are triggered by the tone, style, or their misperception of the style of writing?
• If the unique aspects of biblical integration will be appreciated by readers or will create another trigger or struggle in hearing the much-needed message.    

Thankful to partner with Netgalley and Thomas Nelson to read an e-copy of the newly released book, and thankful for Hoopla to have the opportunity to also listen to parts of the book as I wanted to continue to think and process the book before completing my review.  

Goodbook Partner Review: Board Books with Truth for Toddlers

Releasing August 23, 2022 three new board books just for your little ones!  

Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know by Melissa Krueger and illustrated by Isobel Lundie Board Book  

My thoughts on the picture book here.

I am not often a fan of the board book version of a real children's hardback book, I'd compare it to whether or not you like the movie version of a book, and most of us find that it just doesn't measure up to our own imagination and love of the book.  I'm happy to report I LOVE this version of the book.  All the important aspects of the love of Jesus are still present.  So if you have a board book-age kid, it's a great connection to the bigger version for their older siblings or friends.  

I like the picture book version so much that I bought two cases when it came out and continue to give it as a gift.  Rhyme, repetition, and the truth of Jesus' love are a total delight!  This is simpler but the point is still clear.  

The Awesome, Super Fantastic Forever Party by Joni Erickson Tada and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

My thoughts on the picture book are here.  This simplified board book will communicate the truth of God's Word for your toddler and give each listener, including adults, a good view of the Heaven we all await for when Jesus returns, and we start a forever party!  

Any time, Any Place, Any Prayer by Laura Wifler and Illustrated by Catalina Echeverri

My thoughts on the picture book are here.  

This book simplifies the original book into clear, understandable language for the little ones, and does not disappoint.  It clearly defines prayer and simplifies the original book without losing its purpose.  I love the speech bubbles with real-life models of prayer.

Thankful to partner with the goodbook company and 

review early copies of these soon-to-be available board books!

Waterbrook Partner Review: The Stories of God (and Kiki) by Dave Connis and Art by Amy Domingo

 

The second book from a new series, each book is a Story of God, and a young girl.  

What I Like About the Book:

• These characters are young girls and different ethnicities, so more children can read books that have people that resemble them.  
• The concept is that God and Kiki are like each other because God made it that way and the comparison threads throughout the book in delightful ways sharing truth from God's Word.   
• The Artwork has personality, style, and life, and definitely builds style in the text and concepts of the book. 
• The author's perspective and tone share Kiki's perspective (a very imaginative kid). 
• The concepts communicated through the book are that there are differences between Kiki and God, and the book communicates the truth about who God is, as well as how God thinks Kiki is awesome and Kiki thinks God is awesome

What I Wonder About the Book: 

• The art on some pages is so bright and busy, it distracts me, will it distract the littles who are the intended audience?  I think the style of the book will encourage re-reads, and noticing the details, so I'm not sure. 
• The connection is that God writes 'stories' like Kiki when her stories are obviously fiction and not quite true, but God's writing shares the joy, light, and a new heaven and earth.   So not all adults will appreciate this element, as the growing awareness in children's ministry is that the bible is a book of historical events that really occurred and that show us who God is.  This aspect is leaned into in this book, but the word 'stories' bothers some as a child thinks of stories as fiction and not true.   

Thankful to partner with Waterbrook and read a pdf copy of the book.  

Goodbook Partner Review: He Will Be Enough: How God Takes You by the Hand Through Your Hardest Days by Katie Faris

From the introduction:  "The question I was faced with on that day, and on many days since, was this: Will Jesus be enough, even now? Even when I don't understand?  Even when the future I mapped out has been upended? Even ... In the years since that day, I've discovered that the answer to those questions is Yes, Jesus is enough."  

We are living in hard days, and this book is an excellent tool for whatever hard situation you are facing, it will draw you in, you will relate to the anecdotes of the author's life, and others that she knows, and it is a huge blessing, as each of the 20 readings points you to a new way that God is present in all of life, and especially the angles of hard.  

Each of the chapters focus on who God is in a different relatable aspect.  The author shares truth from the Word of God, examples in life, and a sample prayer, and ends each reflection with questions to answer, and a scripture to read and consider this aspect of who God is to YOU!  

This book is directed to believers, who use the Bible, as a lens of how to see God in all of life, and as our life.  If that perspective, isn't one you can embrace or be challenged with this book isn't for you.  But for anyone willing to recognize that God is present even today and who needs reminders in those 'soul amnesia' moments we all have, it is for you.  Thankful to partner with the Goodbook company and read an early release.  It's a book worth owning and sharing with others.  

Bethany House Partner Review: Trusting God in All the Things by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk (90 Devotions)

 

90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day Life is the subtitle of the book.   

The book description reminds us: When Life is Filled with All the Things,

Begin Your Days with the Most Important Thing of All

This devotional in physical book form, is interactive, write and respond, hardback book with gold accents on the navy/chalk white pages to appeal to women.  Each of the devotions has a title, and the book begins with a table of contents of all the engaging titles.  The authors took turns writing the devotions based on one or two simple verses to study for the day, then the author shares a personal connection, and helps the reader think aloud, reflect and apply possible responses to this biblical truth.  The author also helps focus the reader on the achievable and beneficial application of the thoughts.  

It's not a devotional for someone who is looking to be drawn into a deep scriptural study, think about greek or Hebrew words, or have a passage or other connected references to consider how God is present.  It's meant to be a simple, mindset, life-giving focus on God's presence in the seasons of life when it's easy to lose that focus. 

I find this book very appropriate for a woman who needs the peace and calm brought to her to focus her day and ultimately mind on who God is in her life moment by moment.   It's a book for those seasons, days, and points in life where being able to have a wise older woman share her life story and thinking will help refocus your spirit.  This book also can help you know you are not alone, you are loved, seen, and you can let God be your calm and peace in all the things, at all the times.  

Thankful to partner with the publisher and review a copy.   

Goodbook Partner Review: His Grace is Enough by Melissa Krueger Illustrated by Isobel Lundie

 

Alright, Melissa Krueger's last book made one of my all-time favorite children's book list!  (that link is my review in 2020 of Wherever You Go).  So I wondered what I would think about her second children's book.  

Things I like about the book:

• The words rhyme!! there is a great rhythm to enjoy!
• The truth about God's grace is communicated clearly, addresses common misconceptions, and is repeated throughout the story.  
• This is realistic fiction about God's saving grace.  It's not boring non-fiction, it's the truth we all need to be communicated to us with these real-life applications applied.  
• The illustrations are kid-friendly, represent diversity, and are realistic, yet quirky to draw the reader in. 
• The theme that is repeated, which is another reason I love the book, "God's grace is enough, it's so big and so free, His grace is enough both for you and for me!"

What I wonder:

• Why not include a scripture reference?  Ephesians 2:8 &9 maybe?  
• Will the children reading this book look for one main character throughout the book?  or will the illustrator's approach with so many children and experiences that resemble ordinary thoughts mean that the readers don't notice? I didn't.  
• How many parents will memorize this book that I hope will become a classic addition to many family libraries?  

Back Cover:

From the Book Description: 

This illustrated, rhyming book will help parents explain to children the unique and wonderful Christian message of God’s grace—that Jesus offers forgiveness and allows us to move on from our mistakes.

It can be used to share the heart of the Christian faith with children or to remind them that Jesus is the person to run to when they mess up.

Children will learn that God’s grace is enough to cleanse and change us every day, as the book itself says...

My child, here’s the truth:
From God, you can’t hide
He sees what you’ve done
He knows what’s inside

But please don’t despair
There’s good news, I say!
Whatever you do
God’s grace makes a way

Yes, his grace is enough
It’s so big and so free
His grace is enough
Both for you and for me

This beautiful hardback book makes a great gift for children ages 3-6 and even beyond.

Written by Melissa Kruger: author of Wherever You Go I Want You to Know and Five Things to Pray for Your Kids; Director of Women’s Content at The Gospel Coalition; speaker, blogger, and mother of three.

Thankful to partner with the goodbook for children publishing and I wonder how many copies I will give away of this new favorite book!  This one goes to my favorite children's book list!